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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

CORONA Test Vehicle 2

Re-entered 5 Mar 1959

CORONA Test Vehicle 2 (NORAD 13, COSPAR 1959 BET) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Mar 1959, launched on 28 Feb 1959. It was operated by ARPA / CIA as part of the CORONA Early programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSD on the CORONA bus, with a mass of 78 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1959
launched
1959
re-entered
0
years on orbit
78
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched28 Feb 1959
Operational28 Feb 1959 · entered service
Retired28 Feb 1959 · end of operational service
Re-entered5 Mar 1959 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID13
COSPAR1959 BET
TypeSatellite
OperatorARPA / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSD
BusCORONA
Mass78 kg
ProgrammeCORONA Early
CategoryTECH
OrbitLEO (LLEO/P)
Altitude163 × 968 km
Inclination89.7°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to CORONA Test Vehicle 2?

CORONA Test Vehicle 2 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 5 Mar 1959, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1959. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did CORONA Test Vehicle 2 re-enter the atmosphere?

CORONA Test Vehicle 2 re-entered on 5 Mar 1959, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built CORONA Test Vehicle 2?

CORONA Test Vehicle 2 was operated by ARPA / CIA and built by LMSD (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.